Zahir, received his secondary education at the Malay College of Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) and Stafford House Tutorial College, Canterbury, England. He then graduated with BSc Econ (Honours) in Economics & Development Studies from the University of Wales, Swansea in 1991. Subsequently, he also read for his LLB (Honours) degree from the University of Leeds.
Zahir started his career as an Assistant Director at the Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI). He eventually worked as a Corporate Planner at Mara Holdings and then as a Corporate Affairs Manager at a Public listed company and finally as a Corporate Services Manager at University Teknologi PETRONAS.
From 2009 until 2018, Zahir joined the Perak State cabinet as an Exco member. Initially, he was in charge of the Education, Human Resources and Technology portfolio but in 2013 was entrusted to helm the Industry, Investment and Corridor Development of the state.
Amongst the experiences he had were the formulation and implementation of Greater Kamunting Master Plan, Enactment and formulation of Perak Coastal Development Council and the various Districts Development Plans.
Zahir also used to serve on the Board of Perak SEDC, MB Incorporated (Perak), Housing Development Board, State Planning Committee, State Investment Committee, State Mineral Committee and various Government related agencies.
Dato Zahir was elected as the Perak State Assembly Speaker, a position he currently holds, on 12 May 2020 and reelected on 19 December 2022, after the 15th General Election.
As a recognition of his contributions to the State, Zahir was conferred the Darjah Dato Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (DPCM) in 2011 which carries the title “Dato” by His Royal Highness Sultan of Perak. In December 2018, for his works amongst others, in the redevelopment of 15 small townships in the rural areas of the state, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from the University of Swansea, UK and admitted as its Fellow.
